ByteFence redirect removal instructions

What is ByteFence?

Developed by Byte Technologies, ByteFence is a legitimate anti-malware suite that is occasionally distributed as a 'bundle' with other software. It is, therefore, classed as a potentially unwanted program (PUP). The main difference between direct and bundled installations is that ByteFence installs as third party software and modifies Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox browser settings by assigning their homepage and default Internet search engine to yahoo.com. Note that bundled applications usually install and make these changes without proper users' consent.

After ByteFence installs on the system, it modifies the aforementioned browser default search engine, homepage, and new tab URL settings by assigning them to the search.yahoo.com website. Users are often unaware that ByteFence is responsible for these changes, and even if this application is for some reason removed, the modifications remain and users must roll them back manually. Unexpected modifications of Internet browser settings significantly diminish the Internet browsing experience, since users are continually redirected to search.yahoo.com when attempting to search the Internet or simply opening new tabs. Although ByteFence is legitimate software, this problematic behavior is common among browser hijacking applications. If you feel that ByteFence installed on your computer without your permission, and you experience unwanted browser redirects, uninstall this app immediately.

Free scanner checks if your computer is infected. To remove malware, you have to purchase the full version of Spyhunter.

ByteFence has similar characteristics to AVG anti-virus software, which installs a browser toolbar causing browser redirects. This is achieved to increase the amount of revenue generated - users are redirected to certain websites, thus, significantly increasing traffic. Rather than providing the features promised (to supposedly enhance the Internet browsing experience), these apps cause unwanted redirects, track Internet browsing activity, and display ads to generate revenue.

How did ByteFence install on my computer?

ByteFence is available for download on its official website, however, the developers also use a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling' (stealth installation of third party apps with regular software) to install ByteFence. This method is effective since many users do not pay enough attention when downloading or installing software. They skip most/all of the procedure steps, unaware that apps such as ByteFence are hidden within the 'Custom' or 'Advanced' settings. By rushing installation, they inadvertently install potentially unwanted programs.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

Download your chosen software from a trusted source - usually, the official website. When downloading from a freeware download website, closely analyze each step of the download procedure and opt-out of all additionally-included applications. Furthermore, applications should be installed with caution. Select the 'Custom' or 'Advanced' settings - this will reveal any bundled applications listed for installation and enable you to cancel them.

ByteFence anti-malware installer set-up:

Deceptive free software installers used in ByteFence distribution:

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ByteFence redirect removal from Internet browsers:

Remove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:

Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". Look for any recently-installed suspicious browser extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".

Change your homepage:

Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Internet Options", in the opened window, remove hxxp://us.search.yahoo.com and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you launch Internet Explorer. You can also enter about: blank to open a blank page when you start Internet Explorer.

Change your default search engine:

Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". In the opened window, select "Search Providers", set "Google", "Bing", or any other preferred search engine as your default and then remove "ByteFence".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the search.bytefence.com redirect, reset your Internet Explorer settings to default.

Windows XP users: Click Start, click Run, in the opened window type inetcpl.cpl In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.

Windows Vista and Windows 7 users: Click the Windows logo, in the start search box type inetcpl.cpl and click enter. In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.

Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Tools" and click "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, select these entries and click the trash can icon.

Change your homepage:

Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section, click "set pages", hover your mouse over hxxp://us.search.yahoo.com and click the x symbol. Now, you can add your preferred website as your homepage.

If you continue to have problems with removal of the search.bytefence.com redirect, reset your Google Chrome browser settings. Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome) and select Settings. Scroll down to the bottom of the screen. Click the Advanced… link.

After scrolling to the bottom of the screen, click the Reset (Restore settings to their original defaults) button.

In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Google Chrome settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

Remove malicious plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox:

Click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons". Click "Extensions" and remove all recently-installed browser plug-ins.

Change your homepage:

To reset your homepage, click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), then select "Options", in the opened window, remove hxxp://us.search.yahoo.com and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you start Mozilla Firefox.

Change your default search engine:

In the URL address bar, type about:config and press Enter.Click "I'll be careful, I promise!".In the search filter at the top, type: "search.yahoo.com"Right-click on the found preferences and select "Reset" to restore default values.

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with search.bytefence.com redirect removal can reset their Mozilla Firefox settings.

Open Mozilla Firefox, at the top right corner of the main window, click the Firefox menu, in the opened menu, click Help.

Select Troubleshooting Information.

In the opened window, click the Refresh Firefox button.

In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Mozilla Firefox settings to default by clicking the Refresh Firefox button.

Remove malicious add-ons from Microsoft Edge:

Click the three horizontal dots icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Extensions". Look for any recently-installed suspicious extensions, right click your mouse on these entries and click "Uninstall".

Change your homepage:

Click the three horizontal dots icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Settings", in the opened tab, click the "+ Add new page" link, after entering your preferred URL, remove the link of browser hijackers by clicking the "X" button next to the associated URL.

Change your default search engine:

Click the three horizontal dots icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Settings". Click the "View advanced settings" button and select "Change search engine". In the opened tab, select your preferred Internet search engine and click "Set as default".

Optional method:

Click the three horizontal dots icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), and select Settings.

In the opened tab, click the "Choose what to clear" button.

Click Show more and select everything, and then click the "Clear" button.

If this did not help, follow these alternative instructions explaining how to reset the Microsoft Edge browser.

Summary:

A browser hijacker is a type of adware infection that modifies Internet browser settings by assigning the homepage and default Internet search engine settings to some other (unwanted) website URL. Commonly, this type of adware infiltrates operating systems through free software downloads. If your download is managed by a download client, ensure that you decline offers to install advertised toolbars or applications that seek to change your homepage and default Internet search engine settings.

Removal assistance:If you are experiencing problems while trying to remove search.bytefence.com redirect from your Internet browsers, please ask for assistance in our malware support forum.

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